live from london. this is bbc news: prince harry arrives at london's high court — about to become the first senior royal in more than a century to testify from the witness box. during his legal battle against a newspaper publisher. i'm nancy kacungira, live from outside the court. a live from outside the court. witness statement say intrusion a witness statement says press intrusion has had a devastating impact on prince harry's mental health and well—being. also today... ukraine accuses russia of blowing up a major dam in the country's south, unleashing a flood of water towards settlements downsteam. kyiv�*s western allies, including nato, have condemned the attack.

welcome to bbc news. we start in central london, where prince harry is expected to give evidence in person during his trial against mirror group newspapers shortly, making him the first senior royal in 130 years to testify in court. this was the duke of sussex arriving at the high court a few minutes ago. he alleges that the company used unlawful methods to gather personal information about him, including phone hacking, a claim mirror group newspapers denies. live to my colleague nancy kacungira at the high court in central london. hello to you, nancy. we understand that a witness statement has been read. , . , that a witness statement has been read. , ., , . that a witness statement has been read. , . , . ~ that a witness statement has been read. , ., . . ., read. yes, that is correct. we are now starting _ read. yes, that is correct. we are now starting to — read. yes, that is correct. we are now starting to get _ read. yes, that is correct. we are now starting to get some - read. yes, that is correct. we are now starting to get some real - read. yes, that is correct. we are i now starting to get some real detail into what is at the heart of this

case. the allegations that prince harry is making about the way information was gathered on him and the way that information was used, published in newspapers. he says that this activity was known about by senior editors and executives. so now we are starting to get a sense of the impact that these allegations have had on prince harry's life from this witness statement. let's just take a look at some of the key findings that we are pulling out of this witness statement. i've got helena wilkinson, renews corresponded. this is ourfirst helena wilkinson, renews corresponded. this is our first real sign in to what prince harry wants to say today. sign in to what prince harry wants to say today-— sign in to what prince harry wants to say today. yes, absolutely. let's 'ust to say today. yes, absolutely. let's just exnlain — to say today. yes, absolutely. let's just explain what _ to say today. yes, absolutely. let's just explain what is _ to say today. yes, absolutely. let's just explain what is going _ to say today. yes, absolutely. let's just explain what is going on - to say today. yes, absolutely. let's just explain what is going on inside | just explain what is going on inside the courtroom at the moment. prince harry— the courtroom at the moment. prince harry went _ the courtroom at the moment. prince harry went into the witness box about _ harry went into the witness box about half an hour ago, having arrived — about half an hour ago, having arrived in _ about half an hour ago, having arrived in the last hour or so. cross—examination has begun, so he

is being _ cross—examination has begun, so he is being questioned by the barrister for the _ is being questioned by the barrister for the opposing party, is being questioned by the barrister forthe opposing party, mgn, is being questioned by the barrister for the opposing party, mgn, who is representing the publishers of the newspaper, that is mirror group newspapers. we have just in the last ten minutes or so had a copy of prince — ten minutes or so had a copy of prince harry's witness statement. alongside — prince harry's witness statement. alongside him appearing in the witness — alongside him appearing in the witness box, we have now got this statement — witness box, we have now got this statement. we are really getting the details _ statement. we are really getting the details coming in thick and fast. let's _ details coming in thick and fast. let's go — details coming in thick and fast. let's go through a view of the headlines first of all, then i can read _ headlines first of all, then i can read you — headlines first of all, then i can read you a _ headlines first of all, then i can read you a couple of the quotes we have pulled out so far from that statement that colleagues are going through— statement that colleagues are going through at the moment. it is a long statement, — through at the moment. it is a long statement, so we are picking out the quotes— statement, so we are picking out the quotes from — statement, so we are picking out the quotes from there. the headline so far in— quotes from there. the headline so far in this _ quotes from there. the headline so far in this witness statement that has been — far in this witness statement that has been released says prince harry has been released says prince harry has said _ has been released says prince harry has said that he moved to california, that was because, in large _ california, that was because, in large part. _ california, that was because, in large part, due to constant intrusion— large part, due to constant intrusion by the press. we well know. — intrusion by the press. we well know. it — intrusion by the press. we well know. it is _ intrusion by the press. we well know, it is well documented his relationship with the media, in particular— relationship with the media, in

particular the tabloid press. something else in his statement, prince _ something else in his statement, prince harry says that tabloid attention has had a devastating, as you mentioned, a devastating impact on our— you mentioned, a devastating impact on our mental health and well—being. i am assuming he is referring to his wife, _ i am assuming he is referring to his wife, meghan markle. he also says in the statement that the vile —, that is his— the statement that the vile —, that is his word — the statement that the vile —, that is his word - — the statement that the vile —, that is his word — vile behaviour had him in a spirat — is his word — vile behaviour had him in a spirat let _ is his word — vile behaviour had him in a spiral. let me read you a couple — in a spiral. let me read you a couple of— in a spiral. let me read you a couple of quotes of what he has said in this— couple of quotes of what he has said in this statement. in the witness statement, he says, as a teenager and in — statement, he says, as a teenager and in my— statement, he says, as a teenager and in my early 20s, i ended up feeling— and in my early 20s, i ended up feeling as— and in my early 20s, i ended up feeling as though i was playing up to a lot _ feeling as though i was playing up to a lot of— feeling as though i was playing up to a lot of the headlines and stereotypes that they wanted to pin on m3, _ stereotypes that they wanted to pin on me, mainly because i thought that if they— on me, mainly because i thought that if they were _ on me, mainly because i thought that if they were printing this rubbish about— if they were printing this rubbish about me — if they were printing this rubbish about me and people were believing it, i may— about me and people were believing it, i may as— about me and people were believing it, i may as well do the crime, so to speak — it, i may as well do the crime, so to speak. that is really interesting what _ to speak. that is really interesting what you _ to speak. that is really interesting what you are saying there. from a

very young — what you are saying there. from a very young age, he changed his behaviour— very young age, he changed his behaviour as a result of how he says the tabloids — behaviour as a result of how he says the tabloids were portraying him, the tabloids were portraying him, the character that he says they wanted — the character that he says they wanted him to play. he goes on his statement — wanted him to play. he goes on his statement to say, it was a downward spiral— statement to say, it was a downward spiral whereby the tabloids would constantly try to coax me, a damaged young _ constantly try to coax me, a damaged young man. _ constantly try to coax me, a damaged young man, into doing something stupid _ young man, into doing something stupid that would make a good story and sell— stupid that would make a good story and sell lots of newspapers. looking back on _ and sell lots of newspapers. looking back on it _ and sell lots of newspapers. looking back on it now, he says in his statement, _ back on it now, he says in his statement, prince harry, such behaviour— statement, prince harry, such behaviour on their part, the tabloids _ behaviour on their part, the tabloid's part, is utterly vile. i think— tabloid's part, is utterly vile. i think that _ tabloid's part, is utterly vile. i think that is a really strong court to come — think that is a really strong court to come out from his statement so far. �* ., , , ., ., far. and he really is drawing a line here, far. and he really is drawing a line here. isn't — far. and he really is drawing a line here, isn't he? _ far. and he really is drawing a line here, isn't he? throughout - far. and he really is drawing a line here, isn't he? throughout his - far. and he really is drawing a linel here, isn't he? throughout his life, from his childhood to now when he has had to move to california, he says because of press intrusion. this highlights the breadth of this case will have to cover. he is

looking at cases from 1996 all the way to 2011. looking at cases from 1996 all the way to 2011-_ way to 2011. absolutely. we have 'ust heard way to 2011. absolutely. we have just heard on _ way to 2011. absolutely. we have just heard on the _ way to 2011. absolutely. we have just heard on the last _ way to 2011. absolutely. we have just heard on the last few - way to 2011. absolutely. we have | just heard on the last few minutes from _ just heard on the last few minutes from court — just heard on the last few minutes from court that prince harry, his cross—examination has begun. as i mentioned, — cross—examination has begun. as i mentioned, the kc from the opposing party is _ mentioned, the kc from the opposing party is questioning prince harry. prince _ party is questioning prince harry. prince harry says that this intrusion— prince harry says that this intrusion and the way he is being portrayed — intrusion and the way he is being portrayed started from when he was born _ portrayed started from when he was born this— portrayed started from when he was born this is— portrayed started from when he was born. this is going back years and years— born. this is going back years and years for— born. this is going back years and years for prince harry. as we talked about _ years for prince harry. as we talked about earlier, you could date it back— about earlier, you could date it back really to the death of his mother, — back really to the death of his mother, princess diana. he has been on this— mother, princess diana. he has been on this path. — mother, princess diana. he has been on this path, this battle with the tabloid _ on this path, this battle with the tabloid newspapers. this is why he has brought this case here to the hi-h has brought this case here to the high court. let me just bring you a bit more _ high court. let me just bring you a bit more from his witness statement that we _ bit more from his witness statement that we have had, as i say, in the last few— that we have had, as i say, in the last few moments. as i said, you start— last few moments. as i said, you start by— last few moments. as i said, you start by saying his decision to move to california — start by saying his decision to move to california with his wife, meghan markie, _ to california with his wife, meghan markle, was a large part due to the constant _ markle, was a large part due to the

constant intrusion, inciting hatred, and harassment by the tabloid press into every— and harassment by the tabloid press into every aspect of our private lives, _ into every aspect of our private lives, which had a devastating impact — lives, which had a devastating impact on _ lives, which had a devastating impact on our mental health and well—being. he goes even further in his statement. he says, we were also very concerned for the security and safety _ very concerned for the security and safety of _ very concerned for the security and safety of our son. so we are getting a picture _ safety of our son. so we are getting a picture from prince harry's witness _ a picture from prince harry's witness statement about the distress that he _ witness statement about the distress that he says this press intrusion has gone — that he says this press intrusion has gone on for years into his life, into his _ has gone on for years into his life, into his private, personal life. it is here, — into his private, personal life. it is here, the _ into his private, personal life. it is here, the case that he is bringing _ is here, the case that he is bringing to court, which he says that the — bringing to court, which he says that the newspapers that he is bringing — that the newspapers that he is bringing the case against, the mirror— bringing the case against, the mirror newspapers, the printed four years. _ mirror newspapers, the printed four years. he _ mirror newspapers, the printed four years, he says, information that they— years, he says, information that they obtained unlawfully, including they obtained unlawfully, including the use _ they obtained unlawfully, including the use of phone hacking, he says, to put— the use of phone hacking, he says, to put that — the use of phone hacking, he says, to put that into the public domain. so we _ to put that into the public domain. so we are — to put that into the public domain. so we are seeing and hearing now at the moment about that distress that prince _ the moment about that distress that prince harry says it cost. just

the moment about that distress that prince harry says it cost.— prince harry says it cost. just to round it out. — prince harry says it cost. just to round it out, if— prince harry says it cost. just to round it out, if you _ prince harry says it cost. just to round it out, if you could - prince harry says it cost. just to round it out, if you could just i prince harry says it cost. just to l round it out, if you could just put into context what the witness statement does in these proceedings and what else we can expect to happen today. de and what else we can expect to happen today-— and what else we can expect to hauentoda. , ,, , ., happen today. de witness statement is a written document _ happen today. de witness statement is a written document that _ happen today. de witness statement is a written document that is - is a written document that is produced _ is a written document that is produced by prince harry. you will have _ produced by prince harry. you will have written it, this statement, in his own _ have written it, this statement, in his own words. it really runs alongside _ his own words. it really runs alongside or goes alongside his evidence, which will be heard in court _ evidence, which will be heard in court today. so it is outlining his case _ court today. so it is outlining his case on — court today. so it is outlining his case on his— court today. so it is outlining his case on his own words, but we will also hear— case on his own words, but we will also hear from prince harry as well during _ also hear from prince harry as well during this — also hear from prince harry as well during this cross—examination. we have _ during this cross—examination. we have colleagues, as i said, in court who are _ have colleagues, as i said, in court who are watching what is going on, going _ who are watching what is going on, going through that statement, so we will be _ going through that statement, so we will be bringing you the updates as they come — will be bringing you the updates as they come into us from the courtroom. they come into us from the courtroom-— they come into us from the courtroom. ., ., ,, , ., , courtroom. helena, thank you very much. courtroom. helena, thank you very much- helena _ courtroom. helena, thank you very much. helena wilkinson _ courtroom. helena, thank you very much. helena wilkinson our- much. helena wilkinson our correspondent laying out what we expect to happen. prince harry has set the tone with this very personal witness statement, saying that the

press has been hostile to him since birth. but we can expect the cross—examination to be much more clinical, much more probing, much more incisive, so we wait to see what happens with that. we will continue to bring you details as they come in from the courtroom. back to you. they come in from the courtroom. itack to you-— they come in from the courtroom. back to you. nancy, thank you very much indeed- _ with more on this, let's speak to the legal analyst joshua rozenberg. he's in the newsroom. joshua, you have been poring over prince harry's witness statement. there are some key lines in that. take us through.— there are some key lines in that. take us through. what is interesting is his thoughts _ take us through. what is interesting is his thoughts on _ take us through. what is interesting is his thoughts on the _ take us through. what is interesting is his thoughts on the media. - take us through. what is interesting is his thoughts on the media. he - is his thoughts on the media. he makes specific allegations against piers morgan, who was editor of the daily mirror between 1995 and 200a. i am sure piers morgan would deny them, but this statement is privileged, which means that we can report what he says. what he says is that he and his wife have been

subjected to a barrage of horrific personal attacks and intimidation from piers morgan, and prince harry says, presumably in retaliation and in the hope that he will back down. but he also talks more broadly about his views about journalism. but he also talks more broadly about his views aboutjournalism. he says he fully accepts and agrees with the fact that journalists and he fully accepts and agrees with the fact thatjournalists and the media on the public square, and the media should have the power to investigate anyone for anything. should have the power to investigate anyone foranything. prince should have the power to investigate anyone for anything. prince harry says the problem is that over the past 15—20 years, he says there are now incredibly powerful media companies who masquerade as journalists and have quite literally hijacked journalistic privileges for their own personal gain and agenda. he describes this public square as an incredibly and unbelievably dangerous place. he says it does not matter whether you are a public figure, whoever you are, if your interest to the press, whatever you're doing, you become a target, a

victim. they claim to all public figures to account but refused to hold themselves accountable if they are supposedly policing society, who on earth, he asks, is policing them? he says, in his view, in order to save journalism he says, in his view, in order to savejournalism as a he says, in his view, in order to save journalism as a profession, journalists need to expose those people in the media who have stolen or hijacked the privileges and powers of the press and have used illegal or unlawful means for their own gain and agendas. he says he is bringing this claim not because he hates the tabloid press or even necessarily a section of it but to hold people to account. he says he has a unique perspective and experience, perhaps from having had a front row seat, because the press have shown no willingness to change he feels he needs to make sure that this unlawful behaviour is exposed because he does not want anybody else going through what he has had to. but also he says, on a national level, our country is judged globally by the state of our press

and government, both of which, he says, he believes are at rock bottom. democracy feels when your press fails to scrutinise and the government accountable and instead choose to get into bed with him so they can ensure the status quo. he says, i may not have or remain in the royal institution, but as a member of the family and a soldier upholding important values, ifeel there is a responsibility to expose this criminal activity in the name of public interest. the country and the british public deserve to know the british public deserve to know the depths of what was happening actually then and indeed now. we are better off for its full.— better off for its full. joshua, tom 5 mons is better off for its full. joshua, tom symons is on _ better off for its full. joshua, tom symons is on record, _ better off for its full. joshua, tom symons is on record, reporting i better off for its full. joshua, tom | symons is on record, reporting for updating on the bbc news life page. just update you on something he has told andrew green kc, the mirror group lawyer, he has said that... told the court every palace had copies of the newspaper,

unfortunately. you cannot say which stories he had seen, but remembered colleagues seeing stories written about him and their behaviour inevitably changed around me. he said the editors and journalists were responsible for causing pain and upset and inadvertently death. andrew green kc, prince harry is now under cross—examination. what is he facing andrew green? under cross-examination. what is he facing andrew green?— under cross-examination. what is he facing andrew green? andrew green is a commercial— facing andrew green? andrew green is a commercial barrister. _ facing andrew green? andrew green is a commercial barrister. but _ facing andrew green? andrew green is a commercial barrister. but if - facing andrew green? andrew green is a commercial barrister. but if you - a commercial barrister. but if you look at his own website, it quotes from one of the legal directories. these are publications which call lawyers to make comments on other lawyers to make comments on other lawyers anonymously, which people can then publish. andrew green, his chambers quote, somebody saying about him that he is a beast in court, an opponent to be feared with a punchy and aggressive court style,

particularly at home with cross—examination and an ability to put unrulyjudges back in their boxes. in other words, put unrulyjudges back in their boxes. in otherwords, he put unrulyjudges back in their boxes. in other words, he is a tough cross examiner. prince harry has made his own views clear any statement we have been reading extracts from, but now he is on his own, now he has got to respond to people, the council for mirror group newspapers, who are challenging what he has said in the comments i have read out to you. that requires not only a knowledge of all the evidence thatis only a knowledge of all the evidence that is in this lengthy statement and ability to think on your feet, and ability to think on your feet, and ability to respond to probing questions, this is going to go on all day. questions, this is going to go on all da . ., , questions, this is going to go on allda. ~, , ., questions, this is going to go on allda . ., , , ., ., all day. finally, before we leave ou, all day. finally, before we leave you. what— all day. finally, before we leave you. what is— all day. finally, before we leave you, what is their _ all day. finally, before we leave you, what is their strategy - all day. finally, before we leave| you, what is their strategy going all day. finally, before we leave i you, what is their strategy going to be as respondents? we have are there going to try to undermine prince harry, what does that mean within a court? ~ ., ., , , , ., court? what it means is they are auoin to court? what it means is they are going to put _ court? what it means is they are going to put him _ court? what it means is they are going to put him to _ court? what it means is they are going to put him to prove. i court? what it means is they are going to put him to prove. theyl court? what it means is they are i

going to put him to prove. they are going to put him to prove. they are going to put him to prove. they are going to say, yes, these articles appeared, but you cannot prove that they are based on information that was obtained unlawfully. yes, you have your views on the press, we all have your views on the press, we all have a reviews on journalists, but just because you have a view on journalism and perhaps a mission that you have expressed in your witness statement, that does not mean we, the mirror, behaved unlawfully. mean we, the mirror, behaved unlawfully-— mean we, the mirror, behaved unlawfull ., ., unlawfully. joshua, we will review there for now. _ unlawfully. joshua, we will review there for now. thank— unlawfully. joshua, we will review there for now. thank you - unlawfully. joshua, we will review there for now. thank you very i unlawfully. joshua, we will review l there for now. thank you very much indeed. you are watching bbc news. bringing you different stories from across the uk. ., ~ , , . you different stories from across the uk. ,, . , . the uk. the peak district, perfect territory for _ the uk. the peak district, perfect territory for birds _ the uk. the peak district, perfect territory for birds of _ the uk. the peak district, perfect territory for birds of prey. - the uk. the peak district, perfect territory for birds of prey. in i territory for birds of prey. in recent years, raptors like the hen harrier had been a rare sight here. with several cases of birds that have been killed on gone missing, the peak park has brought out of the peak district bird of prey initiative set up in 2011 to try and

boost numbers. we initiative set up in 2011 to try and boost numbers.— boost numbers. we know that persecution — boost numbers. we know that persecution is _ boost numbers. we know that persecution is an _ boost numbers. we know that persecution is an issue. i boost numbers. we know that persecution is an issue. we i boost numbers. we know that i persecution is an issue. we debate to what— persecution is an issue. we debate to what extent it is an issue. the eak to what extent it is an issue. the peak park _ to what extent it is an issue. the peak park says — to what extent it is an issue. tie: peak park says until the to what extent it is an issue. ti9 peak park says until the illegal killing birds of prey is tackled, meaningful work to increase their population will not be possible. it population will not be possible. it is up to the police to decide, not the national park authority to decide when a crime has or has not happened. the decide when a crime has or has not ha ened. :, ,, decide when a crime has or has not hauened. w , , : decide when a crime has or has not hauened. , , : , :, happened. the peak district bird of re ma happened. the peak district bird of prey may continue _ happened. the peak district bird of prey may continue in _ happened. the peak district bird of prey may continue in some - happened. the peak district bird of prey may continue in some form, l happened. the peak district bird of l prey may continue in some form, but without the peak park. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. across the world and around the uk, this is bbc news. ukraine has accused russia of deliberately strung a huge dam on the day dnipro river in order to

hamper its offensive. it sent a torrent of water towards communities in the south of the country, threatening dozens of settlements. this is a video that was tweeted by ukraine's president zelensky showing the reached hydroelectric dam. he says the shelling only confirms for the whole world that russians must be expelled from every corner of ukrainian land. however, the two sides are blaming each otherfor blowing up the dam with potentially deadly consequences for those communities downstream. these images from korabel downstream show flooding of houses and garages in a residential area. also some of the agricultural areas. it is largely residential. the russian—installed mayor of the town immediately next to the dam says the water level there could rise by up to 12 metres. former prime minister of ukraine arseniy yatsenyuk gave

us his reaction to the unfolding situation around the dam on the dnipro river. this is another part of the russian military tactics and strategy against ukraine. this comprises everything, including humanitarian disasters and catastrophe and the man—made disasters that russia inflicted on ukraine. you know, it resembles to me, the letter of nazi leader himmler that he sent in 1943 to the then so—called governor of ukraine when they were retreating from the ukrainian territory. in his letter, he said that, look, we need to leave scorched earth in ukraine, kill everything, including even animals. so putin and his policy is a copycat scenario of nazi policy, and this constitutes definitely an international and war crime. this is in complete violation with the article 56 of the geneva convention. but putin doesn't care about the international law. what does he care about?

he cares about his imperialistic, stupid thinking and ideas, how to take over ukraine and how to restore the soviet union. so this is a huge disaster and another challenge for ukraine and another threat for the entire world. that was the former prime minister of ukraine speaking to me earlier. 0ur ukraine correspondent james waterhouse has more. we now, we know we they are evacuating thousands of people from settlements right along the river towards the southern city of kherson, but only on the western bank of the river which it controls, because this is also a front line. the eastern bank is land occupied by russia, which controls the kakhovka dam. they were accused of laying it with explosives last year, which it denied. kyiv once again blames moscow for being responsible for the scenes

we are seeing this morning. now, we can't definitively say who is responsible, but in a military sense, it computes more for russia to have carried this out. why? well, ukraine is starting its offensive step by step and this is an area which russian forces have been preparing for some kind of ukrainian offensive. blowing this dam up takes out a major crossing point and it also widens the river itself. but the collateral damage is huge. people in occupied crimea to the south have also been cut off from water supplies or are in danger of being cut off. and then you have the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant upstream, also controlled by russian forces, which rely on the river's water to cool its six reactors. so the collateral damage is vast, but nevertheless, this is connected to the early stages of ukraine's much anticipated counter—offensive.

that was james waterhouse. live now to iuliia 0smolovska, the director of the globsec kyiv office — a global security and sustainability think tank. they are committed to ensuring security and sustainability in europe and throughout the world. welcome to the programme on bbc news. first off, your assessment of what took place overnight in the kherson region on the dam? this attack had _ kherson region on the dam? this attack had been _ kherson region on the dam? ti 3 attack had been expected at some point. the russians had been warning that they mind the dam and they wanted to blow it up. they said it already in november last year. basically, ourarmed already in november last year. basically, our armed forces and emergency services had been preparing for this negative scenario. right now, when you see with this number of missile attacks

intensified substantially, this is another indirect sign that russians are in despair, try to prevent the ukrainian counteroffensive. what ukrainian counteroffensive. what does it do geopolitically - ukrainian counteroffensive. what does it do geopolitically to crimea? actually, not talking about politically how it would impact crimea, but economically for ordinary citizens, russians have done a bad job because crimea is currently suffering from a shortage of drinking water. some areas are already fully cut off from drinking water. the damage the russians had been doing with this blowing up of the power station actually more impact the crimean citizens. this is the reflection that russians basically do not care about civilians at all. from the ukrainian

side, they claim to consider their own position now. i side, they claim to consider their own position now.— side, they claim to consider their own position now. i wonder if you could explain _ own position now. i wonder if you could explain to _ own position now. i wonder if you could explain to us, _ own position now. i wonder if you could explain to us, how- own position now. i wonder if you could explain to us, how is i own position now. i wonder if you could explain to us, how is this i could explain to us, how is this story being reported and received by russians themselves? what is the narrative on an attack like this? it is hugely significant for the conflict, isn't it? but how are russians hearing about it? definitely russians are trying to use this as propaganda by saying it was ukrainian armed forces who should be blamed for that. but basically, internally, for instance, we can also assess indirectly by messages sent by the proxy government and crimea saying that everything is under control and the drinking water will be supplied and so on. it means that russians are trying to minimise or diminish the

negative consequences of this blowing up. but basically this is something that they cannot hide. crimea will definitely suffer from this. :, ~ :, :, : :, this. talk to me about the nuclear ower this. talk to me about the nuclear power plant _ this. talk to me about the nuclear power plant at _ this. talk to me about the nuclear power plant at zaporizhzhia. i this. talk to me about the nuclear power plant at zaporizhzhia. at i this. talk to me about the nuclear| power plant at zaporizhzhia. at the moment, power plant at zaporizhzhia. at the moment. we _ power plant at zaporizhzhia. at the moment, we have _ power plant at zaporizhzhia. at the moment, we have the _ power plant at zaporizhzhia. at the moment, we have the reports, i moment, we have the reports, ukrainian experts currently reside at zaporizhzhia, they are reporting that it at zaporizhzhia, they are reporting thatitis at zaporizhzhia, they are reporting that it is still full of water required to cool the generators. the international atomic energy agency also said that they do not see the signs of potential damage and risk to the zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, but we should not exclude this negative scenario. as i said, russians are currently in despair by failing on the front line. they want to have this destruction and

man—made catastrophes in ukraine in order to distract the attention from the battlefield. basically, we have to be prepared that russians will be using all the possible means available for them to do this more in ukraine. available for them to do this more in ukraine-— in ukraine. your expertise is in diplomacy. _ in ukraine. your expertise is in diplomacy. you _ in ukraine. your expertise is in diplomacy, you work _ in ukraine. your expertise is in diplomacy, you work for i in ukraine. your expertise is in diplomacy, you work for the i diplomacy, you work for the diplomatic service in ukraine for 15 years, and a lot of it has been in negotiations. we are reporting at the moment that this could well be the moment that this could well be the unofficial start, because we have not had confirmation from ukraine, of the country's summer offensive perhaps, but how do you see this going? how do you bring it to an end or calm things down? definitely the ukrainian society is very much determined that no negotiations with russia is possible

at any stage in this war. we would like to restore control of all recognised areas of ukraine, which is 1991 borders. because of that, president zelensky, if you wish to, but he does not have the signs they are willing to get into negotiations with russia, would be very much limited in his position because of the ukrainian society. president zelensky says in negotiations with russia at any stage right now would have a detrimental effect on society because this would make... this very much will play into the hands of russia. , , :, :, russia. sorry, we 'ust had a gremlin on our russia. sorry, we just had a gremlin on our communications _ russia. sorry, we just had a gremlin on our communications line. - russia. sorry, we just had a gremlin on our communications line. thankl on our communications line. thank you very much for that. we caught the last section of your sentence. thank you. that is the director of the globsec security and

sustainability think tank. thank you. and you may remember these images from eastern ukraine in 2014. malaysia airlines flight mh17 was shot down with a missile, killing all 298 passengers and crew on board. ukraine and russia face off at the top united nations court today over moscow's alleged backing of the pro—russian separatists blamed for the disaster. judges at the international court ofjustice will hear ukraine's claim that moscow violated a un anti—terrorism treaty by equipping and funding pro—russian forces who international investigators concluded shot down the jetliner with a buk missile. live now to our correspondent anna holligan who's in the hague. hello, and are, what has taken place today so far? i

hello, and are, what has taken place today so far?— today so far? i have been in the courtroom- _ today so far? i have been in the courtroom. it _ today so far? i have been in the courtroom. it is _ today so far? i have been in the courtroom. it is actually - today so far? i have been in the courtroom. it is actually quite i courtroom. it is actually quite surreal witnessing these two sides currently at war sitting side by side inside the courtroom. we have started to hear from side inside the courtroom. we have started to hearfrom ukraine's agent. he began by really placing the historical context today. he said the blowing up of the dam was part of a long—running campaign by what he described as a terrorist state russia to wipe out his country. he said that what the judges and everyone else is witnessing today did not begin with russia's full blown invasion in 2022 but with the instigation of an armed insurrection in 2014. so this case is all about these two treaties that prevent funding of terrorist groups and prevent discrimination on ethnic grounds. it is about 2014. you mentioned the shooting down of flight m h 17 in 2014, killing all

298 people on board. there are other events mentioned in this case. for example, the indiscriminate targeting of civilian neighbourhoods in places like mariupol, but also be after the annexation of crimea in 2014, russia is accused of trying to conduct a kind of cultural erasure of non—ethnic russians in the crimean peninsula. that is really what this case centres upon. the arguments that are happening today, we are hearing from ukraine today, russia will have a chance to present its case, fascinating that russia is you're engaging in this legal process in itself. russia on thursday, then another two days next week with arguments from both sides. 0k, thank you very much for that. let me give you some of the top